Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

We flew in from California and stayed at a hotel nearby. We saw the parking lot full and asked at the hotel if we needed to make a reservation. He said no, but that it was mostly a seafood place. We were seated immediately and our waiter was a gem. Didn't have to wait long for the food, recommended certain food in detail and the drinks were perfect. The filet mignon was a big portion and so tender. If the atmosphere is right, waiting an hour is no big deal whereever we go. I highly recommend it. Marcy

Pros: Large portions-excellent service

Cons: None

Posted 11/11/09

Good Food, Worth the Wait :)

Pros: Oysters

Posted 07/01/09

When I am craving seafood, this is my place. The portions are huge and delicious. I like their fried calamari...it is always tender and crispy. Their dirty rice is so good, it has a great kick to it and the seafood is fresh as San Antonio can get it. You can order your seafood any way you want it; fried, blackened, etc...I have yet to have a bad meal here. It can get very busy very fast, so if you come at peak times the wait can be up to 30 minutes or longer. The service is good but the noise level can be bothersome. Like I said the food and service is good, the place is fun and loud, the portions are huge, and the desserts are out of this world (bread pudding and key lime pie) but the prices are a little high. So it is alway a treat.

Pros: Huge portions, fun staff, food and desserts

Cons: Can be noisy and pricey

Posted 08/02/08

This was my first time to Pappadeaux and I was not totally impressed. The first time we tried to go there was a two hour wait and I was to hungry to wait. So I finally got the change to go back with my family. We were seated immediately this time but it took forever for the waitress, who looked a little nervous, to bring us drinks and utensils. We had to get up and go ask someone to give us utensils...not the kind of thing you'd expect at a restaurant with prices like this. We finally go to order and the menu selection was not to impressive either...maybe it's because I am not the biggest seafood lover. Anyways, I had the shrimp gumbo which tasted kinda beefy...go figure. My sister had the fondue and it was DELICIOUS. I also ordered the boudain...it was great. The kids had shrimp baskets with fries, nothing impressive. My mom had a huge plate of everything under the sea, or so it seemed but she couldnt eat because the restaurant was too cold. It didnt help that we were seated under a ceiling fan going faster than an airplanes propellers. My dad had a simple shrimp cocktail that he was good...but then again he isnt the pickiest eater. When we got the bill it was $126.00. I have been to places where we've spent that much and the food was much much better and was complimented by excellent service (i.e. Silos or Las Canarias).
My overall impression of the place was decent food but over priced and the service stinks.

Pros: The boudain was good...

Cons: Service, Price, Wait to be seated can be very very long

Posted 07/20/08

My husband and I visited from Louisiana and almost didn't eat here. We were a bit skeptical about a "cajun" restaurant in Texas especially being from the New Orleans area. But it was late and within walking distance of our hotel so lucky for us we tried it! Their "white lightning margarita" is the best I've had - a MUST TRY!! Food was delicious, service superb - couldn't ask for better. We ended up eating there EVERY night of our vacation and each night was as good as the next in ALL aspects. I wish we had one in Louisiana - I can't wait to go back!!

Pros: BEST margaritas, great service, great atmosphere, wonderful food

Cons: 30-45 min wait - but not even noticed if enjoying their great margaritas!!

Posted 04/24/08

Although I live very close to Pappadeaux's I must say I have only been a total of 3 times. I do recall each time having enjoyed the food and the only thing that may have kept me away was the packed parking lot and anticipation of having to wait an hour or more for a table. I must say though, this last visit made it worth the wait. We waited 45 minutes for a table which is exactly what they estimated we would have to wait. So, if you are STARVING and ready to eat, I suggest you go through a "drive-through." We sat on the porch, talking, laughing, and enjoying our company. Before we knew it, our number was called. This restaurant has a great environment, family friendly, and clean. It is a place to go to really enjoy dinner. You are not going to go "in and out" at this place. You will go to enjoy your family, friends, a lazy Sunday, and the great food! I did not mind the wait. I found our waiter was friendly and attentive. The prices are consistent with the quality of their food but I would like to see a couple of $10-$12 dinners even if they are smaller portions. Their portions are big. Overall, I highly recommend this place for the quality of the food, the environment, and the service.

Pros: Food quality, convenient location, cleanliness, service, parking

Cons: some waiting, a bit pricey, needs more specials

Posted 04/27/07

Okay, my opinion may be biased because I worked at Pappadeaux for almost 3 years! I absolutley loved working there and thought the food was delicious. I moved away from San Antonio in 2003 and have back twice since then and I never fail to drop on in to eat the fresh seafood. I can say the food is fresh and the desserts are homemade every morning because, like i said, i worked there and i saw the food prep first hand. I've read some of the reviews stating that the service was horrible and I cannot understand why. When i worked there, the employees and managers took great pride in our restaurant. Granted most of us were college kids just trying to get by, but we had fun during work and every now and then we would mess up but we're only human. You can't expect to go into a restaurant and have everything go perfect everytime. Nevertheless, if you've had problems in the past, try it one more time because this is the best seafood, ambiance, and service in San Antonio. If anyone from the restaurant reads this, and you worked there back in 02, 03, Miss you guys! Keep up the good work.

Kristeena

Pros: good food, great portions equal fabulous values

Cons: sometimes the wait is long but because the food is great!

Posted 11/24/06

We tried this restaurant for lunch one day because whenever we drive by during dinner hours it is always completely packed. I won't say I was disappointed but the food was just ok. It took absolutely forever for the waiter to bring the check so I even went up to the bar to ask for change and they took forever as well. The portions are quite large so it is a good place to go if you are very hungry, but if you have to wait any time at all, it would not be worth it.

Pros: large portions

Cons: crowds, food just so-so

Posted 11/13/06

Went last year with my wife and two children. We were told it was a 30 minute wait. We waited outside for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Once we entered, over half of the place was empty! The manager stated that they did not have enough waiters - we left.

A year later, we decided that maybe they had fixed their problems. We went tonight. They sat us promptly within 5 minutes. We placed our order which included an appetizer. After repeated questions as to the status of our order, the manager finally admitted that they were having problems - 45 minutes after we had ordered! Again, we left.

This time though - NEVER TO RETURN!

It is a shame though, because in the past, their food was excellent. But sadly, their complete lack of service has ruined it for us.

Cons: HORRIBLE SERVICE - complete lack of caring for their customers

Posted 09/01/06

Very Good Food, Very Good Service. There are few chain restaurants you can say that about and this is one.

Pros: Seafood that is honest to God F-R-E-S-H

Posted 08/19/06

The waiters are rude, slow and not very sociable. I had a very bad experience with this restaurant and I thought it would be a nice place to take my family but I had to send the food back 3 times because the waiter kept confusing the order. After a 1 hour and 45 minute wait for food they decided to proudly bring us the check which I refused to pay being that I had so many problems. And to no surperise the manager was not in so I had to call the next business day. I spent over $200 and for "my inconvienence" was given 2 $15 gift cards.

Pros: None

Cons: Horrible Staff

Posted 06/10/06

A nice place for couples to go to dinner. Food not as good as in New York or San Francisco seafood restaurants but good nevertheless. I keep going back mostly because of the service (best in San Antonio) and the ambience which is quiet (dinner time) and somewaht secluded in an area that is very busy.

Pros: service, bar, music

Cons: new waiters

Posted 05/06/03